Tuesday, 10 January 2017

In The Sweet By and By Hymn Story

In the Sweet By and By or The Sweet By and By is a collaboration between two friends Sanford Fillmore Bennett (1836-1898) and Joseph P Webster. Stanford Fillmore Bennett provided the words while his friend Joseph P Webster provided the music.

This song was the result of an incident in their lives as friends. The account is described in Sanford Fillmore Bennett’s autobiography.

Bennett says that his friend Joseph P Webster was a sensitive soul like most very talented musicians unfortunately.

He suffered from bouts of depression now and then. This caused him to focus on the darker side of life and was therefore a troubled soul during those bouts of depression.

Bennett said he had studied these peculiarities in his friend's life and was quick to notice his mood changes. And as good friends should and do he offered a helping hand.

In his case Bennett found that giving Webster a song to work on lifted his spirits.

Stanford Fillmore Bennett

In one such instance Webster came to Bennett’s place of business walked down to the stove, and turned his back on him without speaking a word.

Bennet who was at his desk turned to him and asked, “Webster, what is the matter now?” To which Webster replied, “It is no matter, it will be all right by and by.”

This response suddenly made Bennett realise that he could write a hymn on this. He replied to Webster, “The Sweet By and By! Why would not that make a good hymn?” To which Webster responded, “maybe it would”.

Bennett immediately started penning the words of the as fast as he could.

He handed the complete hymn to Webster who immediately lighted up and started writing the notes while playing his violin. Within 30 minutes they had produced this sweet hymn and they immediately started singing it.

In the Sweet By and By Lyrics

Below are the In The Sweet By and By lyrics:

There’s a land that is fairer than day,And by faith we can see it afar;For the Father waits over the wayTo prepare us a dwelling place there.Refrain:In the sweet by and by,We shall meet on that beautiful shore;In the sweet by and by,We shall meet on that beautiful shore.We shall sing on that beautiful shoreThe melodious songs of the blessed;And our spirits shall sorrow no more,Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.To our bountiful Father above,We will offer our tribute of praiseFor the glorious gift of His loveAnd the blessings that hallow our days.

Origin of Wayfaring Stranger

This song has been around for over 200 hundred years blessing millions of Americans in both the secular and the religious world.

It is difficult if not impossible to pinpoint the exact origin of this North American folk song.

We have some historians saying that they can trace this song to the 1780s while others trace to the early 1800s.

Who Wrote Wayfaring Stranger

The jury is still out when it comes to the composer of the Wayfaring Stranger. Some people think that is a reworked Negro spiritual.

Some think that it could have come the Portuguese colonialists.

Others think that it could be a reworked native song.

The fact is this song has now become one of the most loved gospel folk songs in America.

Many Versions of Wayfaring Stranger and Use by Secular Musicians

As with many folk songs there are so many versions of this hymn floating around in America.

It has been adapted by musicians of all sorts of backgrounds to present their message to the world.

Prominent and famous musicians have made this folk song their own.

In the 1940s Burl Ives made "Wayfaring Stranger" a signature song in his album.

Other musicians such as Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris and Johnny Cash have given their take on this hymn in their albums.

The latest to play around this folk song has been British pop star Ed Sheeran. He has popularized a near acappella-and-vocal version of "Wayfaring Stranger" on YouTube.

Wayfaring Stranger Hymn Original Lyrics

Below are the lyrics of one of the versions of Wayfaring Stranger.

1 I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger,
I’m trav’ling through this world below;
There is no sickness, toil, nor danger,
In that bright world to which I go.
I’m going there to see my father,
I’m going there no more to roam;
I’m just a going over Jordan,
I’m just a going over home.

2 I know dark clouds will gather o’er me,
I know my pathway’s rough and steep;
But golden fields lie out before me,
Where weary eyes no more shall weep.
I’m going there to see my mother,
She said she’d meet me when I come;
I’m just a going over Jordan,
I’m just a going over home.

3 I want to sing salvations story,
In concert with the blood-washed band;
I want to wear a crown of glory,
When I get home to that good land.
I’m going there to see my brothers,
They passed before me one by one;
I’m just a going over Jordan,
I’m just a going over home.

4 I’ll soon be free from every trial,
This form will rest beneath the sod;
I’ll drop the cross of self-denial,
And enter in my home with God.
I’m going there to see my Saviour,
Who shed for me His precious blood;
I’m just a going over Jordan,
I’m just a going over home.

For more links to pages on this blog with some more hymn stories and lyrics visit here.

Hallelujah! We Shall Rise is another hymn that I want to share with you. It is a song filled with a message of hope about the future.

It really resonates with all of us concerned with the state of affairs in the world today. A world full of violence and misery.

The author of today's hymn is John Edmond Thomas. He was born on December 6, 1860 and died on April 30, 1946.

His father died when he was only 14 and being the oldest son he was forced to work to support his family.

John E Thomas

Despite of this he managed to attend a vocal school at the age of 17 and was tutored by Professor T A Bridge and later un­der Ho­ra­tio Palm­er and George A. Good­rich.

Later in life he with Franklin Eiland and John Greer found the Trio Music company in 1890.

He thus spent his life as music compiler and publisher.

Among the songs he composed include, Glorious Gospel Train, I Am So Glad Salvation's Free and I am a Child of the King.

Below are the lyrics of this hymn, Hallelujah We Shall Rise.

In that Resurrection morning
When the trumpet of God shall sound
We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise.
Then the saints will come rejoicing and
no tears will e'er be found
We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise.

We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise (amen)
We shall rise, (hallelujah)
In that Resurrection morning
when these prison bars are broken
We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise.

In that Resurrection morning
when the shades of life has fled
We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise.
In the day of glory dawning when the sea
gives up His dead
We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise.

I shall see my blessed Savior
who so freely died for me
We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise.
And our fathers and our mothers and our
loved ones we shall see
We shall rise, (hallelujah) we shall rise.

Sunday, 8 January 2017

Just A Little Talk With Jesus Story

Reverend Cleavant Derricks is the composer of the words and music of this beautiful gospel hymn, Just A Little Talk With Jesus, that continues to bless millions around the world.

Reverend Derricks was born on May 13, 1909 and died on April 14, 1977. He pastored a number of black Baptist Churches in the United States of America.

He composed over 300 hymns including "When God Dipped His Love In My Heart,""We'll Soon Be Done With Troubles and Trials," and "When He Blessed My Soul."

His contributions to gospel music was recognised in 1984 when he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Have a Little Talk With Jesus Hymn Lyrics

Reverend Cleavant Derricks

Below are the lyrics of this beautiful hymn, Just A Little Talk With Jesus.

I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me inAnd let a little light from heaven fills my soul.He bathed my heart in love, and He wrote my name aboveAnd just a little talk with Jesus makes me whole.(Now let us) have a little talk with Jesus(Let us) tell Him all about our troubles(He will) hear our fainted cry(He will) answer by and by(When you) feel a little prayer wheel turning(And you) will know a little fire is burnin'(You will) find a little talk with Jesus makes it right.I may have doubts and fears, my eye be filled with tearsBut Jesus is a friend who watches day and nightI go to him in prayer, He knows my every careAnd just a little talk with my Jesus make it right.(Now let us) have a little talk with Jesus(Let us) tell Him all about our troubles(He will) hear our fainted cry(He will) answer by and by(When you) feel a little prayer wheel turning(And you) will know a little fire is burnin'(You will) find a little talk with Jesus makes it right.And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right...

Below is a youtube video featuring this song, Just A Little Talk With Jesus.

Who Wrote Nothing but The Blood of Jesus Hymn

This sweet hymn is the fruit of the labor of Robert Lowry. He published this hymn in 1876.

The original first line was, What can wash away my stain.

Robert Lowry

Robert Lowry was an American professor of literature, a Baptist minister and composer of many gospel hymns such as Shall We Gather At The River.

He was born on March 12, 1826, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States and died on November 25, 1899 at Plainfield, New Jersey, United States

This song was popularised by the famous christian musician and author, Ira D Sankey. He introduced it at a campmeeting in Ocean Grove, New Jersey and was immediately loved by the audience. From there it just took off and became one of the most loved hymns in most churches to this day.

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus Hymn Lyrics

Below are the lyrics of this beautiful hymn, Nothing But The Blood of Jesus.